Big, Bigger: Comparatives

Look at the photo above. There are two dogs: a chihuahua and a great dane. Of course, the great dane is a big dog, and the chihuahua is a small dog.

Chihuahuas and great danes are both dogs, but, great danes are bigger than chihuahuas. Chihuahuas are smaller than great danes.


Words like bigger and smaller are called comparatives: words we use to compare two (and sometimes more) things.


Short adjectives like big and small usually have "er" endings in the comparative form. Words like prettythe "y" becomes "i": prettier.

 Longer adjectives like expensive and beautiful, we add "more" or "less".  For example:  an iPhone is more expensive than an Android phone.


Be careful: there are exceptions to the rule about long and short adjectives. Look at the example below:

Math is boring, but history is  boringer.

Math is boring, but history is more boring.

If you want to show a big difference, you can add the word "much" to the comparative. an iPhone is much more expensive than an Android phone.


 

Now, let's do some exercises:

Look at the picture below: use the correct comparative forms for the adjectives in brackets to complete the sentences. As always, the comments section can be used to answer the questions.

1 a) The Hulk is much bigger  and (strong) than Spider-Man.

  b) Spider-Man is (small) than the Hulk, but, he's also (fast) than him.

  c) Spider-Man is very strong, but, the Hulk is much (powerful)

(note: your instructor likes comic books)

 2 a) Doing homework with a friend (interesting) than doing homework alone.

   b) Homework can be interesting, but, playing videos games is much (fun) than studying.

   c)  Playing video games is fun, but, doing homework is (important) than winning a PS4 game.

 (* One of the adjectives in #2 is the exception to the "more"/"er" rule)

3 a) Doughnuts and fruits are sweet, but, doughnuts are much (sweet).
 
   b) Fruits are (healthy) than doughnuts.

   c) I think mangoes are (delicious) than chocolate doughnuts.

4 a) The Nexus 7 is (expensive) than the iPad.

   b) The iPad's screen is much (wide) than the Nexus 7's

   c) The iPad is (popular) than the Nexus 7.


For more on comparatives, watch Valen's lesson on EngVid's YouTube channel.